Candidate races, levies for primary taking shape

CHILLICOTHE – The field for the May 5 primary election ballot is set, pending formal approval of candidate petitions and ballot issues by the Ross County Board of Elections.

Chillicothe was able to beat Wednesday's filing deadline to get a pair of income tax increases for safety forces and street improvements onto the ballot. Residents will be asked to vote on a proposed 0.2 percentage point income tax hike for safety forces that would boost staffing levels in the police and fire departments and create a combined dispatch center.

The passage of the proposed levy also would allow the fire department to reopen two stations that were closed on East Main Street and University Drive after a combined income tax levy for safety forces and street improvements was voted down in November. The permanent levy would bring in $1.4 million if passed and would be permanent.

City voters also will face a separate 0.2 percentage point income tax increase that would raise money for street and alley improvements and would be in effect for 10 years. The city's income tax rate, which stands at 1.6 percent, hasn't been raised since 1992.

Someone earning a salary of $30,000 per year now pays $480 a year in city taxes, but if the income tax rate were raised 0.2 percentage point, an individual earning $30,000 can expect to pay $60 more a year. That addition would be doubled if both issues passed.

Following weeks of speculation as to whether there would be primary races for Chillicothe's mayoral post, only two partisan candidates filed. Democrat Luke Feeney and Republican Nancy Ames will be unopposed in May, allowing them to start thinking about their candidacies for November's general election after Mayor Jack Everson decided not to seek a second term.

Three Democrats — Joshua Cartee, Ceil Corcoran and Dustin Proehl — have filed to seek the three at-large seats on the Chillicothe City Council, while Bill Betson remained the only Republican who filed by the 4 p.m. Wednesday filing deadline. Proehl is the lone at-large council member seeking another term in office.

Democrat Beth Neal, who serves as an at-large councilwoman, is pursuing the 1st Ward council seat; Republican James Osborne also intends to seek the position, currently occupied by Tom Trutschel, who has decided not to run for another term.

Ames' position as 2nd Ward councilwoman will open with her decision to run for mayor. It has brought interest from two Republicans, Aaron L. Chaney and David Clay, as well as Democrat Kathy Hardesty. City Councilwoman Alicia Gray, who represents the 3rd Ward, has refiled for her seat and faces no opposition.

Joel Fleurima was the lone Democrat who had filed for the 5th Ward seat after incumbent Bill Showman didn't pursue another term on the council. No Republicans filed for the seat.

Incumbent Dave Tatman has filed for his 4th Ward council seat, while Republican challenger Steven Truman is seeking the position as well. Pat Patrick, who represents the 6th Ward as a Republican, is seeking another term and has no Democratic challengers in the primary.

Sherri Rutherford is seeking another term as city law director and will run against Mike Warren for her seat. Bruce Arnold, who formerly served as council president, is pursuing a run at council president again as a Democrat. Tammy Eallonardo, who was appointed as council president last month by the Ross County Republican Party, intends to challenge for the seat in November.

The Zane Trace Local School District is seeking voter approval of a 0.75 percent earned income tax levy during the May 5 primary election. Nearly 60 percent of voters rejected the district's request in November.

Ross County Board of Elections Director Sarah Williamson said the board will certify candidates and issues Feb. 17.

Meanwhile, in Pike County, various races in Waverly have drawn interest, primarily from Democratic candidates. Incumbent Greg Kempton remains the only person who has filed for the mayoral seat, while incumbent City Auditor Harvey Whaley will be challenged by Bret Bevens for that position.

Mary Ellen Cormany has refiled for her village council at-large seat; 3rd Ward councilman Scott Dailey also has filed. Neither candidate faces any opposition.

Forest Blakeman, who serves as 4th Ward councilman, is seeking to retain his seat and has been challenged by Gary Crabtree. Dick Demlow remains the only Republican who has filed for the 2nd Ward council seat.